Continuously-operating screen printing device



July29, 1930. F. HART 1,771,627

CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING SCREEN PRINTING DEVICE Filed June 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wank f/arz July 29, 1930. F. HART CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING SCREEN PRINTING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M M W 6 k r m a I QMH a 7 Q RSN I I F u MN w July 29, 1930. F. H 1,771,627

CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING SCREEN PRINTING DEVICE -Filed June 25, 1928 3' Sheets-Sheet 3 W 'fi 1 s11, M4160, *M

Patented July 29, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT ort-ice FRANK HART, 0]? LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA GONTINUOUSL Y-OPERATING SCREEN PRINTING DEVICE Application filed June 25,

The general method of printing through a screen has consisted in arranging the screen so that the same allows ink to pass therethrough and transfer a design to fabric, pa-

per, or the like, when ink is placed upon a surface of said screen and a squeegee is passed over the screen to force the ink through the screen. The sequence of operation would, therefore, be to place the card or other article in position,'pu't the screen thereover, and move the squeegee over, the screen to passthe ink through the screen, whereupon the frame would be' elevated and the card removed. At best this would be a slow operation, and the present invention has for one of its primary objects the provision of a device wherein continuous printin or transferring of designs maybe accomplished with great speed and by eliminating many of the operations now necessary. Further objects include a device which is simple of construction, inexpensive of operation, will reduce manufacturing costs, and

which is generally superior to systems and i apparatus now in use.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consistsin the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, association, and relative arrangement of parts, members, and features, all as shown in certain embodiments in the accom; panying-drawings, described generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of one form of apparatus for carrying out the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, V

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

1928. Serial No. 288,057.

1 Figure 4 is a sectional view on the lineal- 1 of Figure 3,

Figureii is a top plan view of a modified form of device used in practicing the invention,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 1,

V Figure 8 is an enlarged detail of means for holding a screen in cooperation-with a belt,

Figure 9 is a transverse section of the screen and'belt shown in Figure 8,

Figure 10 is across sectional View of means for holding a screen in position to the belt of thetype utilized in that form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6, a

Figure 11 is'a further method of holding the screen in cooperation with a belt, as used on machine illustrated in Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 12 is a plan view of the screen and belt shown in Figure 11,

Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view of means for feeding cards to be stenciled,

Figure 14.- is an elevation, partly in section, of ({neans for feeding cards to be stenciled, an

Figure 15 is an enlarged detail of means for feeding the cards. x I

Referring now with particularity to the drawings, that form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is designated as an entirety by A, the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 by B, and the automatic feed arrangement. which may be utilized in practicing a form of the invention and shown Figures 13 and 14 by C.

The form of the invention designated by A utilizes a feed belt a which is adapted to reo0 ceive a card I), which is .delivered'upon a latform 0 and carried along said platform y a belt d, which belt is provided with a screen 8, the belt (1 being so arranged and constructed as to cause the screen and the'card b to register to the end that the screen is passed beneath a source of ink .or paint supply 1, which paint or ink is deposited upon the surface of said screen after which a squeegee g forces such ink through the screen and onto the card, followed by the delivery of said card onto a delivery belt h whereupon the card is removed from the delivery belt to permit drying of the ink or paint, as the case may be. Briefly stated, the above constitutes the sequence of steps or operations in the performance of printing or stenciling operation and I have provided numerous means, to be described, for assuring proper register of the card or similar article with the screen.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, I have provided a framing 7' comprising uprights 1 and members 2 and 3 extending between the uprights. Uprights 4 are secured to the members 2, and these uprights in turn support the platform a. In this regard, it is to be particularly noted that the so-called framing is in two parts, one for each side of the platform as shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the longitudinal sides of the platform have secured thereto guides 5 and 6 which are transversely slotted, as shown at 7. Extending from the uprights 1, shown at 8, is a platform 9 which is supported from a flooring by means 10. A further support is provided although not shown, and this support is adapted to carry journal blocks 11 and 12 receiving the shaft of a roller, one end of v which is provided with a sprocket. This roller is designated as 13 in Figure 1. The parts 2 of the framing j are provided with journal blocks 14 and 15, which are in trans- Verse alignment and a shaft 16 is carried within said journal blocks. mounted thereon a roller 17 one end of which is provided with a sprocket 18. The continuous feed belt a is passed over the rollers 13 and 17 and said belt is longitudinally pro- .vided with spaced perforations, through which perforations the teeth of the sprocket 18 are passed as well as the sprocket teeth on the roller 13. The members of the framing carry journal blocks 19 and 20 in substantial alignment and which journal blocks receive therebetween a shaft 21. This shaft carries a roller 22. A pair of pedestals 23 and 24 both provided with-journal blocks house a shaft 25 upon which is carried a roller 26 and the continuous belt h is passed about the rollers 22 and 26. The shaft 21 carries thereon a sprocket 27 and a gear 28 and the shaft 16 carries a sprocket 29, and over said sprockets 27 and 29 is passed a continuous chain 30. A short stud shaft 31 carries a gear 32 adapted to mesh with the gear 28. Likewise mounted on the studshaft is a sprocket 33,

i and the stud shaft is suitably journaled and secured to the framing in any approved manner, not shown.

The belt d is of the continuous type and is passed over front and rear rollers 34 and 35, the rear rol er being carried upon a shaft 36,

the said shaft being received in journal blocks 37 and 38 mounted upon the members 3 of the framing. The front roller 35 is likewise car- This shaft has ried upon a shaft 39, the said shaft having its ends received in journal blocks 40 and 41 on the .members 3 of the framing. The shaft 39 carries at one end sprockets 42 and 43 and a continuous chain is passed between the sprockets 33 and 42.

7c is a source of power which constitutes a motor adapted to drive some gear reduction means 44, the shaft of which carries a sprocket, and a continuous chain 45 is passed over the sprocket of said gear reduction means and the sprocket 43. The belt (Z is guided in its movement and prevented from buckling by the members 5 and 6, which members as shown in Figure 3 are slotted, as shown at 7, to permit the said belt to be passed through said slots to prevent the belt from sagging in its upper course. An idler roller 46 is provided, this idler roller being mounted between brackets secured to the members 3.

The belt a? is adapted to carry a screen 0 which may be formed of any suitable mate rial, such as bolting cloth, and said screen may be held. to said belt in any number of manners, such as shown for instance in Fig ures 8, 9, 10 and 11. In this connection, it is to be realized that the belt is formed of some substance which is relatively stiff, such as a metal belt, to the end that the screen 0 may be at all times maintained taut. The belt is, of course, provided with a cut-away part in order to receive the screen framing. In Figure 8, Ihave provided a belt formed with dove-tail type of openings 50 and the framing 51 for the screen, shown at 52, is likewise provided with outstanding tongues 53 receivable in the dove-tailed portions 50. A bolt and nut 54 is adapted to secure the screen to the belt, at such dove-tailed portions, as shown in Figure 9. In Figure 10, the screen which is here designated as 55, is secured in any approved manner to a frame 56, which frame is provided with an enlarged part 57 and the belt is provided with a shoulder portion 58. The enlarged part 57 and the shoulder portion 58 are transversely bored with said portion 58 screw-threaded so as to re ceive a securing screw 59. In Figure 11, the screen is shown at 60, and which screen is secured to a framing 61 provided with a reversedly curved and spaced end portion 62. This end portion is adapted to cooperate with the belt 63 and which belt has its marginal portion grooved or slotted at 64 to receive the reversedly curved' portion 62 of the frame. It is evident that any one of these methods just described may be utilized for holding the screen to the belt and still permit the screen'to be readily removed from the belt, as desired.

Any suitable means, such as designated as f may be used for depositing paint, ink, or the like, upon the screen and in the present instance the same includes a container 65 secured by a bracket 66 to the framing j with .in a well understood manner.

a valved conduit 67 leading to a supply end 68, see Figure 7. This supply end is hooded and extends the width of the screen. The squeegee 9 includes an elongated flexible member 69 adapted to extend transversely across the screen with the end portions thereof curved backwardly to deflect paint inwardly. The squeegee is secured to arms 70, which arms are carried by a shaft 71. This shaft is ournaled between members 3 of the frame, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. An arm 72 is secured to the shaft and a link 73 is pivotally joined to said arm. Confined between the head 7 4 of said link and a bracket 75 and surrounding the link is a coil spring 76. This coil spring normally urges the link in one dlrection to in turn move the arm 72 and force the squeegee into contact with the screen e. Mounted upon the belt'd is means m constituting a plurality of registry blocks 77. These registry blocks are extended along one side of the belt.

The platform a is longitudinally slotted at 78 and received within said slot is a spring actuated guide designated generally as a, see Figure 4. This guide is. sectional in form and extends a substantial "length of theplatform a. The entering guide is provided with a nose portion 79. A side guide 0, likewise spring actuated, is supported upon the platform 0 and adjacent the guide 6. The guides 0 are used in conjunction with guides m for centering the card 1) relative to the screen e. Registry guides 12 are carried by the belt a and likewise registry guides q are carried on the belt d. Before describing the form of the invention designated at B, the operation of the form just described will be set forth.

A screen e is secured to'the belt (1 by any approved method or by any of the methods as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11. The

said screen would have certain parts blocked out and other parts that would permit paint, ink, or the like, to be passed therethrough This paint would be fed by the means f onto the screen. Assuming that a card is to be used, this card is placed upon the belt 6 and maintained in posit-ion by the means p. The motor is is energized and the belt a will commence its travel and the belts d and h will also com- Inence traveling due to the gearing and chain connections before described. The belt (1 will e be prevented from slipping relative to the tact with the uides n and depress the same.

The card b Wlll then lie between the guides o and m. The registry blocks 9 on the belt will contact with the end of the card band cause the card to travel directly beneath the screene and over the platform a. The screen will be brought beneath the feed 7 for the paint and the squeegee will force said paint through said screen and onto the card after which the card is removed from under said screen by the conveyor belt h. The sequence of operation for the next following card 6 would be the same. I have thus provided a continuously operating screen printing machine which will use but two operators, one for feeding the cards on the belt a and a second operator for removing the printed cards from the conveyor 71.. It will be particularly noted that the screen b moves beneath the squeegee. In the present method of hand operation, an operator moves a squeegee over the screen, the screen remaining stationary, but it is evident bythis system that the card moves in synchronism with the screen and thus it is ossible to move the screen and card and permit the squeegee to remain stationary, and with very satisfactory results.

The form of the invention designated as B and shown in Figures 5 and 6 includes a fram ing which has supporting pedestals 101, 102 and 103, there being two of such framing members identically formed, as shown in Figure 5 at 104-and 105. Extending between the pedestals are framing members 106. The pedestals 102 and 103 are of greater height than the pedestal 101 and a transverse framing 107 extends between said-pedestals adjacent the upper extremities thereof. Mounted upon the members 106 are uprights 108 which are adapted to support a platform 109, which transversely extends between the framing 100, as shown at 104 and 105. A continuous belt 8 extends between roller members 110 and 111. These rollers members are mounted upon shafts 112 and 113, respectively, which shafts are journaled in blocks 114: and 115 carried by the framing. Furthermore, the said rollers are provided with sprockets 116 and the said belt is provided with spaced perforatlons to receive the sprocket teeth, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The roller 111 carries a gear 117 adapted to mesh with a gear 118 carried by a roller 119. The roller 119 is carried upon a shaft 120, the shaft being journaled in blocks 121 and 122 at the extremities of the uprights 103 of the framing. This roller is likewise provided with sprocket teeth adjacent ends thereof. as shown at 123. The other upright 102 carries journal blocks 124 at extremit-ies thereof and a shaft 125 carrying a roller 126 is confined by said journal blocks. This roller is likewise provided with sprocket teeth adjacent ends thereof. Passed between the rollers 119 and 126 is a continuous beltt and which belt is provided with a series of longitudinally extending spaced perforations adapted to receive the sprocket teeth of the said rollers 119 and 126. This belt t is provided with a cut-away portion to receive a screen 6 and said screen may be held to said belt by any of the methods and means shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11. As before, the means I: may be provided and the reducer member shown at 44 drives through the medium of a continuous chain 127 the roller 111. This chain is passed over a sprocket 128 secured to the shaft 113. The squeegee g is constructed the same as for the form shown in Figures 1 and 2 and accordingly like reference characters will be applied to the drawing. The means for feeding paint is slightly different, comprising a receiving bin 129 for receiving the paint or ink, and which material is then passed through an elongated part 130 to where said paint or ink is deposited upon the screen e. In each case, the paint or ink feeding device is forward of the squeegee.

The belt 8 is provided with registry blocks 131 and 132 and these registry blocks may or may not be adjustable on the belt. A flexible guide 133 is secured to one of the framing members, such flexible guide having a curved entering edge 134. Idler rollers 135 and 130 may be provided for holding the belt. in position and assuring the same against sagging. If we assume that the means illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 or 10 are utilized for holding the screen to the belt t. then the rollers 119 and 126 are circumferentially grooved as shown at 137. The reason for this will appear in the statement of operation. Assume that a card I) is placed against the registry blocks 131 and 132 and the motive element is in operation and driving the belts, the said card will be fed beneath the screen e and ink will be forced through the screen and onto the card during travel of the screen and card. The flexible guide 133 accurately centers and holds the card against the registry blocks 131. Furthermore, the belts s and t move in exact synchronism and the registry blocks are so positioned that the card is at all times in exact registry with the screen during the printing operation. The platform 109 acts to prevent the belt and the card from in any way sagging and the roller 135 assures that proper pressure exists between the screen, card and squeegee'during the printing operation. In the form of the invention just described, the number of perforations in the belt 8 are just twice the number in the belt t and the lower belt is just twice as long as the upper belt. It likewise to be observed that the method of gearing the belts to the rollers and to each other is such as to provide for accuracy in the printing operation. The reason for grooving the rollers is in order to allow for passage of the enlargements 58 or for the screws 54 during movement of the belt.

Both forms of the invention A and B may be provided with scrapers 138 and 139 to keep the periphery of the drums 34 and 35 and 119 and 126 clean at all times.

In Figures 13, 1 4 and 15, I have illustrated a method whereby the card 6 may be automatically fed rather than placing the same manually upon the feed belt. In Figure 14, I have shown a belt 14 provided with blocks 200 and said belt is passed over a roller 201. This roller is journaled in a suitable framing 202. A tray 203 is adapted to hold the stacked cards I) and in such position that said stacked cards are adjacent the periphery of the belt. The framing is provided with a platform 204, slightly spaced from the periphery of the belt. as shown at 205, and an upright 206 of the framing carries a pivoted lever 207 which is passed through a slot in the platform so as to be received in the space 205. This lever is adapted to have contact with a one-revolution clutch 208 of the well understood construction, and which clutch is power driven as indicated at 209. This clutch carries an arm 210 to which is secured a link 211. This link is likewise secured to an arm 212, which loosely surrounds a screw-threaded shaft 213. This arm carries a dog 214 adapted to engage teeth of a ratchet gear 215. This ratchet gear is secured to the shaft 213 and. this shaft 213 is adapted to be received within an elongated nut 216, the nut in turn being secured to the tray 203. \Vhen the belt u is in motion, the block 200 will contact with one of the cards I) and move the same between the said belt and the platform 204. This movement will rock the lever 207 to operate the one-revolution power clutch 208 and the power clutch will turn, which will cause movement of the link 211. This link 211 will move the arm 212 and likewise cause a turning movement of the ratchet 215 due to the dog 214 engaging a ratchet tooth. This turning movement will be communicated to the shaft and the shaft will rotate within the nut 216, the nut being held against movement in any approved manner, to raise the nut and the tray 203. The pitch of the teeth of the nut and the shaft is such as to raise the tray exactly the thickness of one of the cards I; for each revolution of the clutch.

The receiving of the belt within the grooves 7 of the guides 5 and 6 acts to prevent the silk' screen frame from buckling under tension.

It is obvious that the construction for the two devices just described is such as to rapidly permit cards or the like to be printed and that the matter of synchronization between the upper and lower belts is easy of accomplishment. There are few parts to get out of order, the device is simple, and will permit rapid and accurate work.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications and variations may be made in practicing the invention in departure from platform, a feed belt the particular showing of the drawings without departing from the true spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character disclosed, a continuous belt carrying a screen, a platform beneath a course'of said belt, means on said platform and engaging the belt adjacent the margins thereof to prevent buckling of the belt, and means for feeding work onto said platform for position beneath the screen of said belt.

2. In a device of the character disclosed, a continuous belt carrying a screen, a platform beneath'a course of said belt, means on said platform and engaging the belt adjacent the margins thereof to prevent buckling of the belt, means for feeding work onto said platform for position beneath the screen of said belt, means on said belt for moving the work on said platform, and further means for forcsaid work, and means to prevent sagging of the stencil belt during sa1d printing operation.

7 In a device of the character disclosed, a platform, a continuous belt provided with a stencil and having a course thereof paralleling a surface of the platform, a pair of slot ted guides on said platform and for receiving marginal edges of said continuous belt to prevent buckling thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification at Los Angeles, California, this 31st day of May, 1928.

FRANK HART.

ing a fluid through the screen and onto the work. a,

3. In a device of the character disclosed, a 7 having a course thereof lying in the plane of said platform, a continuous belt provided with a screen adapted for movement over said platform, means on said platform adapted to laterally position work delivered thereto by said feed belt, and means on said belt carrying the screen for feeding the work over said platform.

4. In a device of the character disclosed, a feed belt, a platform in alignment with a course of said feed belt, a continuous belt provided with a screen mounted for movement over said platform, means for laterally adjusting work delivered by said feed belt to said platform on said platform, and means on said second named belt adapted to position the work beneath the screen and to move said work relative to the platform, and a delivery belt for receiving said work after it has passed over the platform.

5. In a device of the character disclosed, a platform adapted to receive work and provided with resiliently actuated guides for laterally positioning the work; one of said guides being depressible within the platform; a continuous belt provided with a stencil having a course thereof for movement over said platform, and means on said belt for depressmg one of said guides within the platform when work is positioned beneath the stencil.

6. In a device of the character disclosed, a

platform adapted to receive work'and provided with resiliently actuated guides for laterally positioning the work; one of said guides being depressible within the platform; a continuous belt provided with a stencil having a course thereof for movement over said latform',='and means on said belt for depresslng one of said guides within the platform when work is positioned beneath the stencil, in combination with means 'for forcing an mprint fluid through said stencil and onto 

